forum 1-1 with @Hiro_Shimada (I’ll figure out a better title later, maybe)

Started January 03, 2022 by @Serpentess health_and_safety language

tune

Malcolm hummed.

“Normal is relative, kid. And the bags under your eyes say that your ‘normal’ is shit. Am I right?”Malcolm replied, his tone softening as he spoke.

" yeah. Pretty much." He said and rubbed the back of his head

Malcolm nodded.

“Do you know why? Or would you rather not talk about it?”he asked.

Why was he being so gentle to the kid, Malcolm wondered.

" id rather not but i think its from my separation issues"

Malcolm hummed, nodding in acknowledgment without questioning him further. Though, he did wonder who it was that he had been separated from. Was it his father, the man Malcolm had shot, or someone else?

“You take a nap, kid. I’ll wake you up here in a bit, and we can get moving again. When we get back, I’ll see about setting you up with a bed, something far more accommodating than this hard ass ground will ever be,”Malcolm said.

hiro chuckled and relaxed again. he fell asleep quickly as he held bax gently. though he only slept about twenty minutes

Malcolm watched the two for a moment, then busied himself with a little project he had stashed. He contemplated his fatherly relationship to Hiro so far, but it only ended up flustering him after five minutes.

He then decided to simply focus on the project and wait for Hiro to awaken. He was a bit surprised that he didn’t have to wait very long.

“You alright now?”he asked, expecting a lie.

" nope but I won't get much more.."

Malcolm grunted in acknowledgment, sighing.

“Alright. Come on, kid. The sooner we get back, the sooner my aching bones will shut up, and the sooner you can get some proper sleep,”he said, trying his best to be encouraging.

Hiro nodded and sighed. He kept back at his side. His back stated at a constant red all day.

Bax lingered on Hiro’s shoulder, occasionally rubbing his shoulder, as if trying to comfort him but not really knowing how.

Malcolm kept an eye on Hiro, particularly on his back when he could see it. As they walked, he started developing a limp, but he said nothing.

Hiro had noticed " how exactly do you put it together. I'll make you some."

“Hmm?”

Malcolm turned to Hiro, then grunted when he realized what the boy was asking about.

“I still have the spare I brought. And we need my lab to make more,”he said, his voice quiet.

He looked around, noticing a bench that still stood, though half of the seat was ruined. He made his way over, almost falling onto the bench and took a deep breath.

After a moment, he lifted his pants leg up to his thigh. There were several clear needle marks around his knee, and a few others along his leg. There was also a strange pattern forming on his calf.

Malcolm looked at the pattern with narrowed eyes.

“That’s new,”he said with a sigh.

He injected the formula into his knee, completely unfazed by it, then put the empty needle back in his toolkit. After a moment, he started bending his knee, though he didn’t move to get up.

Hiro paced as he forced himself from drowsiness. He would stop and eventually sway.

Malcolm noticed and sighed, pulling down his pants leg. He then turned to Hiro.

“Help me up, kid,”he said, both to help keep Hiro awake, and because he actually needed the help.

Hiro held his hand out " I can carry you, " he offered. Hiro hated seeing Malcolm so weak. It was like seeing your Hera die at the hands of the villain

Malcolm snorted, taking Hiro’s hand and pulling himself up. His leg shook for a moment, but soon steadied.

“I’m too stubborn to be carried. And this happens a lot, particularly in the last few years. The curse of aging,”Malcolm replied, sighing.

Hiro sighed and pulled Malcolm into a hug " don't over work yourself to death old man. " He said

Malcolm was about to reply, but he simply stared ahead, bewildered. It had been ages since he’d been hugged by anyone.

After a moment, he gently patted Hiro on the back, deciding not to voice his opinion that he’d rather work himself to death than be bedridden.

Hiro let him go " come on were almost home." He said and turned to start walking again

Malcolm nodded, joining him. He was still stunned by the hug, but, oddly, a bit happier as well.

once they made it home, hiro leaned against the wall, not seeming to notice the ai standing in the corner

Malcolm walked in and immediately noticed the AI. He blinked, a bit surprised.

“Unannounced visits are unusual for you lot,”he remarked.

The AI watched the pair, its eyes blue before switching to green.

“Malcolm Lifeform has a new companion,”the AI stated in a montone voice.

“Yes. This would be Hiro. Hiro, this is one of the AI, a robotic race I built decades ago,”Malcolm replied.

The AI stared at Hiro, unmoving.

Hiros spine flashed green a moment " hello.."